During the warm Summer months I’ve a fan of rosé wine, but sometimes I’m not in the mood for pink so I’ll have a glass of white. To sip on a hot day those big, fat, oaky and buttery whites won’t cut it in the warm weather so my go to wines will be the lighter, crisper versions with no or minimal oak treatment.
Chardonnay is the queen of white wines on the east end of Long Island. Wine makers love it since it’s malleable enough to make it in several styles. Most of the wineries on the east end make an oak and non-oaked version.
I spent a cloudy afternoon out east looking for non-oaked white Summer sippers.
Laurel Lake Vineyards 3165 Main Road, Laurel
Established in 1984 it’s one of the older wineries on the east end, off the radar winery with consistent wines and a nice deck out back overlooking the vineyard.
2017 Estate Chardonnay
Medium to light gold in color, asparagus, crushed rock and cotton candy on the nose, tight with surprisingly buttery notes on the finish with nice acidity.
Lenz Vineyards 38355 Main Road, Peconic
One of the granddaddies of the wine industry on the east end being established in 1978. They are more known for their reds, especially their Merlots.
2014 Chardonnay “White Label”
An older vintage than expected. Dark gold in color, canned peaches and green herbs on the nose, tight, peachy fruit with lemon notes on the balanced finish. Holding up well.
Macari Vineyards 150 Bergen Avenue, Mattituck
A family run operation established in 1995 with a large tasting room and an outdoor deck with sweeping views of the vineyard.
2016 Estate Chardonnay
Served in a proper wine glass, medium yellow with greenish tints, green apple on the nose, dry, crisp with mouth watering acidity and green apple notes on the finish. Nice Summer sipper.
RG/NY 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead
This is the former Martha Clara winery that was recently purchased by the Mexican winemaking family Rivero Gonzalez. They are bottling wine under their label now.
2018 Scielo (Heaven) Chardonnay
Medium to light yellow, watermelon on the nose, peachy, melon notes on the full fruit with lime notes on the firm finish.
SocialVino 